Crystalline Silica
Background: Crystalline silica is a natural constituent of the earth’s crust and is a basic component of sand and granite. Foundries utilize large volumes of sand in the molds and the cores to produce metal castings.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), silica exposure remains a serious threat to nearly 2 million U.S. workers, including more than 100,000 workers in jobs such as abrasive blasting, foundry work, stonecutting, rock drilling, quarry work and tunneling. The agency believes a "rulemaking is needed to substantially reduce the risk." Crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, which in severe cases can be disabling, or even fatal. However, according to a 2002 report of the National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the number of silica related deaths in the U.S. has fallen from about 2000 in 1968 to less than 200 in 2000.
Over the years, OSHA has attempted to address exposure to crystalline silica through a variety of non-regulatory approaches, including:
- implementation of a Special Emphasis Program to reduce and eliminate the workplace incidence of silicosis from exposure to crystalline silica (1996) [incorporated most industries where the likelihood of silica exposure exists, including metalcasting facilities
- sponsorship of the National Conference to Eliminate Silicosis
- dissemination of information on its website, at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/silicacrystalline/index.html
In August 2003, OSHA proposed a comprehensive regulation for crystalline silica for general industry, which would include health screening provisions, cutting the current permissible exposure limit (PEL) for silica potentially in half or more, and a host of other provisions. The lowering of the PEL for silica, from .1 mg/m3 to .05 mg/m3 or even lower, will present major technological and economic challenges to the foundry industry, as well as those companies producing silica-based products or materials. OSHA enforcement data indicates that some workers continue to be exposed to levels of crystalline silica far in excess of the current exposure limits.
Outlook: OSHA is still in the process of developing a comprehensive silica rulemaking. On the agency’s most recent regulatory agenda, OSHA is expected to complete a peer review of the health effects and risk assessment of workplace crystalline silica in 2009 and eventually publish a proposed regulation. However, due to the change in administrations, a rulemaking is not likely to begin until late 2009 at the earliest. There is strong interest within the agency and from organized labor to move forward on a silica regulation.
AFS Action: AFS provides its members with a wealth of information and guidance that will help them protect employees' health and safety, as well as continuously improve their safety performance. In fact, the control of silica exposure in the foundry is part of AFS-sponsored safety courses, magazine articles and industry sponsored conferences. The AFS Safety and Health Committee (10-Q) has developed a guide, Control of Silica Exposure in Foundries, which highlights effective means of controlling and reducing or eliminating employee exposure to crystalline silica. It is available at no cost to AFS members on the “Publication Section” of the AFS Web site – www.afsinc.org
AFS and OSHA have entered into an Alliance to promote a safe and healthy work environment in foundries. The Alliance assists in providing employees with information related to personal protective equipment, heat stress, and reducing and preventing exposure to silica among employees in the metalcasting industry.
The AFS Washington office and industry leaders have met with key OSHA officials regarding the development of a comprehensive silica regulation. In addition, AFS is a member of the Crystalline Silica Coalition, a group of trade associations and companies that produce or use silica-containing materials. The coalition seeks a regulation that is protective of workers' health, reasoned in its justification, reasonable in its implementation and permits the continued use of this important material.
For more information, contact Stephanie Salmon, Metalcasting Industry Government Affairs Washington Office, at 202/842-4864 or ss@wafed.com.
